Alfa Romeo Unveils Junior Veloce 280 Performance BEV

Alfa Romeo unveils a battery-electric compact SUV boasting sports car performance and race-track dynamics.

The Alfa Romeo Junior 280 Veloce employs the Stellantis 280 cv (276 hp) electric powertrain with 254 lb.-ft. (344 Nm) of torque, enough the power the car from standstill to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds on the way to a top speed of more than 124 mph (200 km/h).

Renamed from its preproduction name of “Milano” after the Italian government complained that the name suggests the compact SUV is made in Italy, the Alfa Romeo Junior is, in fact, built at Stellantis’ plant in Poland on the Vauxhall/Opel B Segment Corsa platform using front-wheel drive.

Its powertrain was jointly developed by Alfa Romeo engineering, the Stellantis Engineering Propulsion Systems team and Emotors. Its motor reaches a peak of 15,200 rpm and the maximum torque is consistently between 250 and 4,875 rpm. Specifically, the electric powertrain consists of an electric motor and a 54-kWh battery, claiming a range of 254 miles (409 km) in the WLTP cycle. Its charging system claims 10% to 80% charge in less than 30 minutes using a 100-kW DC fast charger.

The Junior Veloce 280 also claims to be 200 kg (440 lbs.) less than its direct competitors, tipping the scales at 1,590 kg (3,498 lbs.).

To maximize the benefits of front-wheel drive, Alfa Romeo has developed the Tor-Sen "D" mechanical limited-slip differential that significantly increases road holding, traction and stability on release. At the same time, it mitigates understeer during acceleration, electronic control interventions and steering wheel vibrations.

Performance brakes include front 380-mm ventilated discs and 4-piston monobloc calipers claiming 108 ft. (33 m) of braking distance from 62 mph to standstill. The specifications are completed by large 20-in. alloy wheels and racing-derived tires.